As the great engine began to billow out of the station, Hermione came into the carriage.
'Hello Draco. Seen Harry or Ron about? Fred said that they were just behind them coming onto the platform but they don't seem to be on the train.'
'No, I've not seen them. I'm sure they'll find us before long though, we should probably stick here. At any rate, we'll see them when we get to Hogsmeade.'
Draco brought them some snacks off of the trolley when the witch came round and they had a nice quiet chat on the way up to Hogwarts. The girl who had been in London with Harry and Ron popped her head in.
'Hi guys! Can I sit with you? Just Fred and George told me to shove off when Lee Jordan came in with his tarantula.'
'Sure thing, Ginny.' Said Hermione, accidently reminding Draco who this girl was. She seemed a little nervous of Draco, perhaps that comment about fancying Harry in the bookshop had put her off him or something. Well, he couldn't have that now, could he? For the rest of the journey Draco used all of his charm to make the two girls feel relaxed and comfortable around him- after all, it wouldn't do to neglect Hermione for a ginger first year, now, would it?
Although it soon became clear that Harry and Ron weren't on the train, the two relaxed somewhat after all, Harry and Ron could look after themselves and it wasn't as if Mr and Mrs Weasley wouldn't take care of them- if they had missed the train they'd probably arrive at school before they did themselves! They couldn't help feeling worried though, when they didn't show up at Hogsmeade. They also felt worried when they didn't show up at the feast. When they got back to the common room though, Draco ran upstairs and, smiling with relief at having found his two mates in the dorm, ran back downstairs to tell Hermione they were alright.
That night saw many jokes about cars and trees being bandied about the second year boy's dorm all of which were forgotten the next morning when they got up. Heading downstairs on their way to the luxurious Hogwarts' breakfasts which got most of them out of bed in the mornings, they spotted a note pinned to the back of the Fat Lady's portrait.
Think you've got what it takes? Are you in second year or above? Then come to quidditch trials!
Main pitch, 12.00 - 14.00 next Saturday.
Oliver Wood.
Captain
The excitement of quidditch was burst at breakfast, as a howler arrived for Ron. Draco had to try very hard to suppress a smile. This was easier done after Professor McGonagall had delivered them their timetables. Great. Just what he wanted, double Herbology with Hufflepuff first thing. Oh well.
After an embarrassing encounter with Lockhart, Professor Sprout ushered them all into greenhouse three. They hadn't worked in here before, since it contained plants deemed too dangerous for first years to handle. Harry and Draco ended up standing either side of a Hufflepuff who introduced himself as Justin Finch-Fletchley. He seemed pleased to meet them.
'Ah. My dear old things,' he said, 'nice to meet you. I'm Justin by the way.' He seemed rather impressed by Lockhart and told them so.
'Well, my name was down for Eton don't you know, but I can't tell you how frightfully glad I am that I came here instead. Of course, mother was dreadfully disappointed, but having shown her Lockhart's books has really convinced her how useful it'll be having a fully trained wizard in the old family.'
'Blimey,' whispered Draco in an aside to Ron, 'and they say us purebloods are inbred. I'm not sure he's actually got a chin at all. Can you see one?'
Draco never got an answer beyond a snort however, as they had to put earmuffs on to deal with the mandrakes they were re-potting.
After Herbology came Transfiguration, where Draco came first, before Hermione even, in successfully turning a beetle into a button. Hermione said she'd been distracted by Ron's broken wand, which had been acting up all lesson.
After lunch came the first Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson of the year. In swept Lockhart, who was both just as hideously awful as the boys had expected, and as hopelessly dreamy as the girls had. He started his lesson with a quiz about himself and then proceeded to set pixies loose. Chaos ensued, was dealt with by Hermione and Draco, with a little assistance from Harry and Ron. Eventually the foursome trudged out of the classroom at the end of yet another sadly typical Hogwarts' day. The only real addition to the routine was the introduction of a keen little photographer, who seemed to have developed an obsession with Harry which, according to Ron, was almost as big as that of his younger sister, little Ginny Weasley. Perhaps Draco had been right in Flourish and Blotts', maybe she did fancy Harry after all. Certainly Colin seemed to be suffering from permanent over-excitement. Draco didn't approve at all. It didn't matter if you were that excited to meet Harry, you simply didn't act like that. Ice cold self-control while manoeuvring for advantage was the code of the Malfoys, after all.
Midday Saturday came along sooner than any of them had expected. Having had a large breakfast, the boys took a leisurely stroll down to the pitch, their Waxwings slung over their shoulders. They were wearing standard training gear for quidditch, not the full robes- they wouldn't get those unless they made the team- but Hogwarts sports tops and trousers. They also had on thick socks and warm shoes, after all it did get colder the higher and faster you flew.
A smallish crowd had turned up, fifteen people in all, so far too many for a quidditch team. The first thing Wood had them do was run laps around the quidditch field.
'The thing about quidditch,' he roared, as he led them in their run, 'is that you have to be supremely fit. Never mind what all those people say who go "you're on brooms" you have to be in peak physical condition at all times, that's what makes the difference between winning and losing.'
After the fifth lap, Harry felt like he was going to keel over, but mercifully Oliver slowed the team down to a halt.
'Right, do your stretches.' He said, bending over to touch his toes, before diving on to the deck in a press up position to stretch his legs. Draco stretched lightly, particularly concentrating on his neck and shoulders. After this Wood split them up into groups.
'Right, everyone who wants to be seeker, go and stand over by the far goals. Everyone for keeper, by the near ones. Everyone for chaser by the home team entrance and everyone for beater by the away team entrance.' He ordered. 'Oi! You don't need to go that far!' He yelled at the retreating backs of Draco and Harry. They stopped. Wood quickly counted the applicants for the places. They had almost enough for two teams. One too many chasers, one too few goalies.
'Oi! Weasley Junior!' He shouted at Ron, 'Come over here, you look like you might make a good keeper.' In truth, Ron had always played keeper when he'd played in the paddock at home, so he didn't mind getting called over too much, even if it did mean he was guaranteed to be a sub at best.
'Right. We've got enough to play a mini match. Five minute rounds, with players being swapped round in between. Seekers, just try and catch the snitch.' Wood ordered. Harry and Draco mounted their brooms and kicked off into the sky. This was the first time that Harry had flown the Waxwing and Draco thought that he seemed to be enjoying himself. Certainly Draco was. The smooth handling, the fast speed - Draco had never been on a broom like it. He flew a couple of laps around the pitch until Wood had everyone else sorted. Then the game began. He and Harry were in direct competition now and there was no way he'd just let him win. Mind you- if he flew anything like he had in the key room. That was a scary thought and Draco did his best to block it out. Suddenly, he saw a golden glint at the other end of the pitch- the snitch! He turned his broom about, and raced off down the other end of the pitch. It may not be a racing broom, but Draco was still easily out-accelerating the chasers he could see below him. He glanced back to where the snitch was. Good, he was still closing in on it. Just needed to adjust his flight path to the right slightly. Done. Now he was there. Draco reached out his hand to grab the snitch and to his horror, saw another arm move forwards with his. Harry had been on his shoulder. Considerably the lighter of the two, Harry seemed to be going faster than Draco. Draco lurched forwards, nearly making himself fall off his broom, but too late. Harry had grabbed the snitch.
'Well done, Harry!' Yelled Wood from the far end. Harry had gotten the place and Draco knew it. Perhaps he might get the reserve position. Not that he'd get much game time, though.
Two o'clock soon came and the Gryffindors left the pitch and traipsed back to their common room, exhausted by the long, hard session. There they were greeted by Hermione, who was finishing off an essay for professor Flitwick.
'Hermione that's at least eight feet long!'
'Well, if a job's worth doing... anyway, don't you think you ought to get changed? You're dripping mud everywhere.'